Bring on the challenge!

New year, time to get back in the swing of things and start blogging again!  

While I haven't blogged my runs very well the last few months, I have still been running, albeit not as much as I should have.  

With a marathon in 2 months and 6 extra pounds on my body (thanks to holiday travel and goodies), it's time to get back in shape!  I'm starting WW (on my own) again for the next month or so to lose the extra poundage and just to overall eat better.  I know the next couple of weeks will be HELL, but my body will thank me for it later :)

This morning we did the 5:15 a.m. track workout.  Splits were as follows:

1600 - 7:39

1200 - 5:49

800 - 3:48

1600 - 7:56

1200 - 5:52

800 - 3:47 (thanks to a sprint the last 50 meters)

Surprisingly, with extra weight and hardly any running over the holidays, my times were about right on with what I usually would do.  However, I could tell I was struggling.  Can't wait till next Monday and see if my times are improved by a healthier week this week! 

Didn't run this morning.  Should have, I was up.  Problem is, it was 5:30 a.m., 30 degrees outside (I know, in SL I would have been cheering for this!!) and a hubby with a cold.  I don't particularly care to run in the dark alone, so when hubby didn't get up, I didn't get up.  I know, poor excuses.  I had runners remorse a couple hours later.  

However, I did do a Jillian workout this morning.  I was going to do both, but at least I got one in.  And, biking back and forth to the school counts, too, doesn't it? ;)  Especially riding behind my 5 year old and his new bike; he's not slow anymore!

WW - so far, so good!! 

Once again, did not get up in the early morning hours to run.  Gotta stop relying on my hubby to set the alarm and get us both up.  I woke up and looked at the clock - it was 6:15; too late for a morning run.  However, I was still going to run today, I was determined!

Thought about running the kids to school this morning.  Then, my 11 year old needed me to carry his clarinet for him; his backpack was too full.  Running and carrying a clarinet case do NOT go hand in hand, so I biked the kids to school and came home.  

Did Jillian level 3 this morning - oh, she kicks my butt!!  But, it felt great!  I'm starting to love this level, even though it's the hardest.  Lot of core strengthening in it.  Kept an eye on the weather outside ( it was in the 30's again this morning, but supposed to be 70 today), and when it got a bit warmer, ran behind the 5 year old while he road his bike.  Run wasn't so great, but glad I did it.  Somehow, I've hurt my foot, so stepping on the heel hurts.  Kinda makes running hard, but I just had to run through the pain.  Plus, I was tired from already working out, and not much breakfast.  So, it was a little rough.

WW - still doing good.  I'm actually not struggling as much as I thought I would.  I'm down 2 pounds since Monday (must be a lot of water weight), and I'm really feeling pretty good.  I find that if I save enough points, I like to have a cup of hot chocolate at night.  It helps curb the sugar cravings :)  Especially since it's the only treat I allow  myself all day.  Quite a change from engorging on holiday goodies, eh?  

Tomorrow, tempo run. . . 

No, I didn't do the tempo run this morning.  Not because I didn't want to.  Hubby is still sick (men are such wimps!!!), and opted out.  I didn't think it would be appropriate for me to run with two other guys this morning and him not there.  In the dark.  So, I decided to run later like yesterday.  

Luckily, the weather was much warmer this morning.  I decided to run while the kids biked to school, then took my 5 year old on a bike ride while I ran behind him.  We ended up at a park where he played for about 10 minutes, then we headed back  home.  I came home and mapped the run, and was pleased to see it was almost 5 miles.  Should have been six this morning, but we'll get it next week.  Plus, there was some stopping and starting when running behind a bike, but overall, it was good.

My foot is still hurting, but not as bad as yesterday.  Sat in the tub last night and let the jets massage it.  Not sure if that is the best thing for it or not, but it feel a little better today.  

Tomorrow, off running, but I'm planning on level 3 with Jillian again.   

Did 10 miles this morning.  Did great until the last 2 miles and I just ran out of energy.  After having done WW for the last 5 days, I'm thinking I need to tweak it a bit.  I am very strict when it comes to doing that, but I can't be as strict when I am training for a marathon.  I need to just more watch what I eat, than count calories all day long.  I need more calories in order to perform better.   Hopefully, by watching what I eat and exercising more, I can drop the holiday pounds just as easily.  I think I'll continue WW this week, but just not as strictly and see how it goes. 

Well, today was supposed to have been the track workout.  And, of course, I was wide awake and ready to go at 4:30 a.m.  That's when we heard the thunder.  We looked out the window and there were lightning flashes everywhere.  A quick text to our pals we run with on Monday's confirmed that the track run was off this morning, due to the weather.  Bummer.  

It has been raining ever since.  Sat in the car drop off line for the kiddos for 40 minutes this morning.  Nothing to do but laugh about it.  It's crazy rain!  Puddles everywhere!

Came home and decided to do Jillian.  It's days like this that I wish I still had a treadmill.  I loved my sprint workouts on that thing.  But, Jillian is great, too.  

Hoping the weather will cooperated so I can run tomorrow. . . 

Tempo run this morning.  With a cold wind!!  Frustrated to be running with boys all the time.  I need someone who is more my pace.  Even on these tempo runs, I am the tail end.   I wasn't struggling today, either, actually felt pretty good, but the boys just seem to be getting faster.  Wish my legs were longer. . . 

Marathon is about 7 weeks away.  Hoping I'll be ready by then. . . 

12 miles on this COLD morning!!  Seriously, it was 30 degrees, and we were all bundled up.  I HATE that!!  Bring back my warm weather!

The run was actually pretty good, had to stop for an emergency potty break at mile 9 1/2 (thank you for having a park on our route!!), and the last 2 miles got a little hard, because we were out of energy.  Stopped and walked at mile 11 and ate some granola bar, but I think it was too little too late.  Gotta plan out our eating while we run.

Other than that, I was actually surprised that it went so well.  Training hasn't been as great as I thought, but I'm glad to see that we did okay.  About 7 weeks till the marathon, so we really need to crank this up.  Hopefully, the miles will be good next week. 

Ah, it was so tempting to sleep in this morning.  No school, I could have run later.  But, I was a good girl and got up at 4:45 a.m. to go running at the track.  

On the up side, it was shorts weather this morning.  Sure beat the cold of Saturday!  We started our splits and they started good, but the second half was a bit slow for me:

1600  - 7:31

1200 - 5:48

800 - 3:48

1600 - 7:52

1200 - 5:57

800 - 3:48

Glad to see at least my 800's were consistent!  We watched the marathon Olympic trials on Saturday, and to see the times those winners posted - incredible!  I'm finishing an 800 when they are almost done with a mile!  It is just mind boggling to me to think of how fast they are going.  

Anyway, came home, showered, and climbed back in bed :)  Got to sleep for another couple of hours.  The nice thing was, by the time I really got up this morning, the exercise and showering were already done for the day :)  Made for a nice morning. 

Tired this morning (why does that always seem to be my opening line here???)  5:30 a.m. comes fast.  It was a misty rain outside, but 70 degrees, so the weather felt great :)  My legs felt heavy this morning and I was overall tired.  Hubby was feeling it, too, though, so it wasn't just me.  Ran our 4 miles, then I did Jillian after the kids went to school.  Maybe not the best idea when you are already tired, but, hey, I'm an over achiever :)

Tempo run this morning.  Yesterday it was in the 30's to run, today it is in the 60's.  So bipolar down here.  It was nice to not be freezing this morning!

So glad it is Thursday.  Tomorrow is my day off of running and I'm so looking forward to it. My foot is still bothering me and I'm getting a shin splint on the other leg.  Shin splints only happen to me when it's time to get new shoes, so, I guess it's about that time again.  Went ahead and ordered me some online.  Hopefully, these injuries will clear up when I start wearing new shoes!  I never keep track of the mileage on my shoes (guess I should), but I thought they were still doing okay.  Looking back, I guess I have had them for about 10 months now. . .pretty sure they've lived their life!

14  miles planned for Saturday. . . 

14 miles this morning.  Started out wondering how the legs were going to do (shin splint on the one, and sore foot on the other) but after mile 2, couldn't feel the shin splint and the foot was killing me!  I think I've got some kind of tight muscle that runs through the foot and into the calf.  By mile 2, I could feel my foot starting to go numb.  Stopped at mile 2 to stretch it out, and it felt better.  Had to stop every 2 miles to stretch it out, but after the first 2, it was much better.  By mile 3, hubby made me mad so the music came on.  I try to keep a fairly consistent pace, but I know that I do go faster at sometimes than others.  I think he was frustrated because I had picked up the pace at this point.  SORRY!!!!  He should have just run without me at that point.  Anyways. . . .the rest of the miles were uneventful until about mile 12.  Then, the foot started hurting again.  Thankfully, I was able to stretch it out again, and was able to finish the last 2 miles.  I don't know what it is, the last 2 miles, no matter how far I go, is always the hardest.  I think it's a subconscious thing.   Made it home and did a 2:08 for 14 miles.  Not great, but it's okay.  Still wondering how I'm going to add 12 more to that in about 6 weeks. . .

On a side note, weather was great this morning.  68 to start, and VERY muggy, but by the end, the temp had dropped a few degrees and a nice breeze was blowing.   

Track workout this  morning.  Not so hot today.  Here are the splits:

1600 - 7:41

1200 - 5:51

800 - 3:56

1600 - 7:55

1200 - 6:01

800 - 3:46

The last 800 was my best today.  Better than in weeks past, too.  Guess I got irritated that I was going so slow on the others today and decided to go for broke!  Foot was bothering me a bit, glad my new shoes should be here tomorrow!!!

Came home and did Jillian level 3 today, also. 

Did the tempo run at 5 a.m. this morning.  I think my going to bed before 9:30 all week finally paid off this morning.  I was feeling pretty good!  

The tempo run was actually pretty good this morning until about mile 4.  We usually run the first mile together, slow, then 1 mile tempo, then 1 mile slow, then 2 miles tempo, then 1 mile slow home.  By the second tempo part, my bowels were starting to get to me.  Which really made me mad because I felt so good out there!  It would come and go.  While I felt great, I was cruising along, then it would hit me and I'd have to slow down.  Very frustrating.  Needless to say, I was glad when the run was over with this morning!! ;)

Tomorrow is day off of running, but I'll do Jillian.  Saturday, we are planning 16 miles. . . sheesh!!! 

Weather was perfect for a run this morning.  16 miles actually wasn't too bad.  Didn't like the mile I added onto the route to make the 16, though.  Going to have to try something different for next week.  

Ran for most of it till the last 3 miles, then had to pull out the music.  Got my second wind then :)  Felt good to run fast to loud and fast music :)    

Track workout this morning.  Because I am writing this the next day, I cannot remember all my splits, unfortunately.  However, I do remember that they were much improved from the week before.  I was surprised that I wasn't too worn out after the 16 mile run on Saturday.  Had hubby rub my left calf the night before and wow did that seem to improve something!  I need to have him rub it some more.  I think it's so tight and that's why I've been having trouble with that leg/foot lately.  I can't seem to stretch it enough.  Would love to visit a massage therapist right about now!  I'm sure it would hurt, but would probably do me a world of good!  

4 miles this morning.  VERY humid.  Left the house in a long sleeved shirt and was ready to strip it off half way through!  The humidity preceded the rain that came an hour later. . .glad we were able to get our run in first!

Woke up to lightning, thunder and pouring rain this morning.  Had to bag the 20 miler.  Postponed till next weekend.  

Decided since I couldn't run 20 miles I was going to do all three workouts on Jillian's video this morning.  1 and 2 were great.  By 3, I was getting pretty tired.  Mostly my arms.  But, I was glad to at least get some form of exercise in for the day, since this is usually the big day of the week. 

Track workout.  Not as great as last week, but okay.

Tempo run.  Didn't feel like I was going that much faster today, but I was able to keep up with hubby and friend a little closer than usual.  I asked him after if they had been going slower, and he said no.  That made me feel good.  

20 miler scheduled for Saturday. 

We were supposed to start at 5:30 this morning.  Hubby inadvertently forgot to set his alarm, so we were an hour behind schedule when we finally started.  Weather was FREEZING!!!  Upper 30's this morning.  I so hate to have to run all bundled up.  Here's hoping the weather cooperates in a few weeks for the marathon!

The run actually started pretty good.  We were doing sub-9:00 for the first 6 miles and feeling pretty good.  Made it to the 10 mile marker/turn around, and still doing good.  Got back to the 15-16 mile marker and I started to slow down.  All my muscles were starting to tighten up, not only from the pounding, but from the cold.  And, I think I was a little dehydrated this morning.  By 16, I felt like I couldn't get enough water.  Had to really pound out the next 2 miles, and then finally turned on the music.  Why I didn't do this earlier is beyond me.  The last 2 miles, while slow and exhausting, I felt like I had a little spring back in my step with the music.  

We both just ran out of energy by the end.  Snacked on granola bars throughout the run, but probably should have brought some gu's along or something else.  Did the run in 3:16, so if I continue that, I'm looking at a race similar to SL last spring of 4:20.  However, I'm hoping that I can pick up the pace just a bit for the race.  Usually, I am faster there than in training runs.  I'll fuel better, and hopefully the weather will be better.  I would really like to get closer to 4 hours again.  

Glad to get this over with.  I know those last six miles will probably be brutal (they usually are!), but I'll just have to pound them out.  Passed A LOT of people out running this morning, too.  Many training for the same race.  I love living here!! 

Did not get to run Saturday because of the rain.  Luckily we were able to get out this morning and do a long run.  

Went out for the tempo run this morning and another member of our group wanted to scale it down since the marathon is only a week away.  We did less mileage and no tempos today, just an easy jog.  Was nice to do, but I could have slept in an extra half hour had I known!! :) 

Haven't recorded my workouts for over a week.  I just went back and hurried and filled in the numbers.  This has been a busy month.  We had guests in town last weekend, and the weather has been crazy lately, too.  Glad we got our 20 miler in a couple of weeks ago, I don't feel as stressed because we were able to complete that.  Still, looking ahead to the marathon next week and hoping that everything goes well! 

I was so excited to "only" have to run 10 miles this morning.  It was going to be a piece of cake compared to the last several weeks of training.  

The reality of it was, it felt like I ran 15 - 20 miles.  What happened to an easy run??  Part of it was I got a side ache about 2 miles in and it never really went away.  The other part, which probably relates to the side ache, was a POOR diet this week (aka, girl scout cookies. . .).  Yeah, they are evil.  I am determined to have a much better diet this week in order to not feel like crap on Saturday.  That would be a very miserable and long 26 miles.  

Overall, the run was right on par with time, but I definitely don't want to have to feel like that next weekend.  I'm excited to get this race behind me, I'm feeling the burnout of training.  

This week will be easy, 2-3 days of easy runs.  That should help the burnout, too :) 

Well, to start off, the weather couldn't have been better.  I was a little worried about it, as the day before had been hot and humid.  But, race day dawned cooler (60's) and overcast with a breeze.  Perfect weather.  

The race started out great.  I had gotten a pacer bracelet to help keep track of my time as I was shooting for a 4:00 finish.  Up until mile 15ish, I was 5 minutes ahead of schedule.  I kept trying not to think about it, but the thought of finishing below 4 hours sounded great!  However, I knew the worst of the race was still ahead and so I had to keep pushing that to the back of my mind.  After mile 15 I was starting to get tired, but I still was keeping a pretty good pace.  By mile 18, I was only 2 minutes ahead of schedule.  That was okay, but I knew I was fading pretty quickly.  The pounding of the pavement was starting to get to me.  My toes were hurting a little and I had to stop several times to stretch out.  By mile 20, I had lost my lead completely and I knew it would be a fight the last 6 miles just to reach my goal.  Unfortunately, I didn't have much left in me at that point.  The last 6 miles was just a mental game to finish.  My entire body was aching and I looked forward to the water stations so I could stop and walk, but even the walking didn't help.  I just needed to be done, and I had to tell myself the quicker I finished, the quicker I could just SIT.  I crossed the finish line at 4:15, which was a disappointment, but I hope to have learned a few things for next time.  

This race was also difficult in the fact that it was a double loop.  That was mentally challenging.  The first loop, finishing the half, you saw all the half marathoners going to the finish line.  I felt GREAT at that point and wished I could join them!  The second loop around the road was very LONG.  Seriously.  It was a long stretch and I know I made a comment to my husband on the first lap about how long it was and he told me if I thought it was long this time around, wait till the second time.  He was right.  It was nice to see all the people cheering, though, it seemed there was less on the second time around.  

Splits:

1 - 8:51

2 - 8:17

3 - 8:17

4 - 8:28

5 - 8:57

6 - 8:37

7 - 8:29

8 - 8:32

9/10 - 17:50 (somehow I missed the mile marker)

11 - 8:54

12 - 9:38

13 - 9:05

14 - 9:10

15 - 9:51

16 - 9:08

17 - 9:57

18 - 10:50

19 - 9:51

20 - 10:40

21 - 11:04

22 - 11:09

23 - 11:33

24 - 11:59

25 - 11:31

26 - 12:10

.2 - 2:14

I've got to figure out how to better train, I guess.  Obviously, I hit the wall at 18, and, although, 19 was better, never really picked it back up after that.  Advice??  I don't feel like I am going out fast in the beginning, it feels like a good pace, but maybe I am, I don't know.  As for the body aches, should I take ibuprofen before the race?  It was actually really bad those last six miles.  I felt like I had the flu.  And, I don't know what to do about my toes feeling slammed (only on one foot).  That was painful.  After the race, I discovered more aches that I didn't know about.  Apparently, I did something to my lower back during the race, too.  It's really sore.  Maybe more core strengthening?  

Glad it's over and just glad it was okay.  Give me a few day and I might start thinking about another one :) 

First day of spring break and first day back running since the marathon.  We were actually ready to go out last weekend, but it was raining so we bagged it.  

Decided to sleep in and go running after breakfast.  Invited my 12 year old to accompany me (he needs to start getting ready for cross country next year), then my 5 year old wanted to come so we invited him to ride his bike.  Next thing I knew, my 7 year old wanted to run and my 10 year old wanted to ride his bike too!!  So, we had a whole family outing for this run!  

The bikers did great, they had to keep stopping and waiting for the runners :)  12 year old did pretty good, but 7 year old went out too fast and was tired before we were even at the end of the subdivision!!  Now, my kids are good runners.  But, they are not used to running, running, running and not stopping.  Had originally wanted to do 4 miles, but knew that was going to be difficult with the kiddos.  Decided to just do 3.  After our turn around point, I stayed back with the 7 year old and kept encouraging him along.  I'd find goals for him to run to then he could stop and walk for a minute.  That's how we made it home.  

While it wasn't a great workout for me ( :) ), it was fun to go out and be with the kids this morning.  Glad they all decided to join us! 

Took the kiddos to the track this morning.  A little easier than yesterday :)  Controlled environment worked better for me to get a better workout in :)  

The kids had a good time this morning.  I did my track workout.

1 mile warm up (I actually did this at a faster pace, but neglected to time it)

800 - 3:45

400 - 1:50

800 - 3:50

400 - 1:49

800 - 3:49

 My legs still feel like I'm recovering from the marathon.  No big surprise.  But, it felt great to get out and run fast again.  Thinking of doing the track again tomorrow, but just not sprints, maybe something a little easier. 

Boy, I could tell I hadn't been out running in awhile! 

I've been dying to get out but between the rain and the lazy side of me after the marathon - :) - it's been awhile.  I did do Jillian 4 days this week, though, so I haven't been completely lazy ;)

Started my run this morning in gorgeous weather.  My phone said it was 48 degrees outside, but it certainly felt a little warmer.  Perfect temps.  The sun was just coming up, the birds were out, it just felt great to be outside!

Inner thigh muscles were a little sore starting out the first 2 miles.  Kept wondering what I did?  Then, I wondered if the bike ride with the kiddos yesterday caused it.  I had taken them to a dirt hill to ride their bikes and do jumps.  Of course, they want me to participate, too - lol.  So, I did.  Coming back up some of those hills got a little tough, but I managed to ride up them.  Think that may be where the soreness came from.

After the first 2 miles, I settled into a good pace.   I could tell I hadn't run for awhile, but it wasn't terrible.  I still finished in 53 minutes.  My first 2 miles were around 9:15ish, second two were about a minute faster, last two somewhere in between.  So, I averaged about 8:50 min/mile which felt good, all things considered.  

Now, the question is, how will next week go?  ;) 

Okay, I've caught up the mileage on the blog now :)  I've gotten lazy, not just about filling this in, but in general.  

Starting last Monday, the day after Easter, hubby and I decided it was time to kick it in to gear and get the exercise going and start eating healthy.  Since then, we've tracked our calories each day, and, I'm happy to say, are starting to see it pay off this week.

Last week was hard.  Running was hard.  Jillian was hard.  Giving up sugar (well, not entirely, but A LOT) was hard.  But, by the end of the week, I had lost 4 pounds and was motivated by the results.  This week, we bagged the running on Monday (it had rained in the night and we thought it wasn't finished yet - I know EXCUSES!!) but I did do Jillian.  Tuesday I did both, and yesterday hubs decided to do Jillian with me but no running.  So we did the workout backwards.  Jillian first, then I went running while he got ready for work.  It's kind of funny, I've been doing Jillian for so long, it's a workout, yes, but I'm not super sore the next day.  Hubby on the other hand was feeling it a bit this morning. . . :)

This morning, we joined our friends at the golf course for the tempo run.  Last Thursday, we did this, too, and I was REALLY struggling.  Today, I felt really good!  Combine that with the fact that our friends told us they had seen some wild dogs out on their way to meet us this morning, and I ran pretty fast today!  Didn't want to get left too far behind in case some stray dog decided to come calling!  I was able to keep up with hubby and the one guy (the other one is just insanely fast - we're talking sub-3 marathon fast), and not feel like I was dying this morning.  It's when you feel great because you are eating right and losing weight and exercising that you get more motivated to keep going because you can see it's all worth it.  To top it off, I was down another pound this morning.  (On a side note, I'm only trying to lose about 10 pounds, it's all the holiday goodies that are still hanging on :) )

Tomorrow will be a running rest day, but I'll do Jillian, then Saturday I'll go at least 6.  It's been nice to tone the mileage down, although I'd like to get back up to 10 on the weekends again.   

Today's mileage was straight out of an Indiana Jones movie.  "Go around, don't go between!  You said go between, not around!"  lol  Asked the hubby last night how far he wanted to go.  I heard, "8 miles".  About six miles into it this morning, he was saying "I can't believe you wanted to go 8 miles."  I said, "you said you wanted to go this far!"  His response, "I said NO MORE than 8 miles!" Guess I missed the no more part :)

It really was fine, though.  Felt good, weather was GREAT this morning, and averaged a 9 min/mile pace.  Plus, the more miles you rack up, the more calories you burn, right? ;)  Still counting the calories and doing good.  We have a neighborhood crawfish boil tonight, so I'm trying to rack up as many calories as I can today!!

My best friend ran the SL marathon this morning, her first ever.  So proud of her.  Can't wait to hear how it was for her :) 

Struggling again this week.  Not sure why, exactly.  Still going good on the diet, but had a battle last night.  Kids made me mad last night and after they were in bed, all I wanted was some chocolate!!  Of course, I have none in this house at the moment.  Did find some Nutella in the cupboard and some pretzels so had to settle for that.  Made me feel better, but I definitely felt it this morning as I was running.  So not fair!  Here's hoping today will be better :)